PROTOCOL FOR HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS:

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person, while also staying on surfaces and in the air, so here are the latest guidelines from the Center for Disease Control:

  • Wash hands thoroughly and frequently with water and soap (for at least 20 seconds) especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. (Please be mindful of water shortage and turn off taps while lathering your hands with soap, then rinse off afterwards).

  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Sneeze or cough into your elbow.

  • Put distance between yourself and other people- remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus. Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

  • Stay hydrated, get plenty of rest and do what you can to boost your immunity naturally

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others, as you could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick (an option for ordering a face mask to support one of our Impact Ministries- Havilah Collective run by the Quist is through Sew Happy, or other small businesses like Care Croft, or here’s a tutorial for using a handkerchief or scarf to DIY):

    • The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.

    • Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker (N95 masks).

    • Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing

    • If you have a fabric mask- after use, you can place it in a ziplock bag and microwave it for 3 minutes to sanitize

    • Here’s a pattern for sewing your own mask

    • More information on what type of mask you need, how to use and maintain its cleanliness

  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

  • DIY recipes for: wipes (from baby, hand or cleaning wipes), hand sanitizer (just check Pinterest- though washing hands with soap is more effective)

  • If surfaces are dirty, clean them: use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

  • When You Do Need to Get Essential Supplies—

    • The first thing you want to do is minimize your shopping trips (or consider delivery- PicknPay, Checkers, Takealot and Woolworths all deliver groceries and Clicks or DisChem deliver medicine, as well as a few other local options below). Or ask someone in your Circle to help you.

    • Special Considerations for the Coronavirus:

      • PickNPay is open exclusively for those over 65 from 7-8 am (double points on Wednesdays with a Smart Shopper card!)

      • Checkers has special till points have been allocated to prioritize speedy checkouts for elderly and vulnerable people including those with disabilities

      • Rustenburg Pharmacy (Muizenberg): they have a drive through pharmacy now

        STEP 1: Call in advance on 021 788 8048.
        STEP 2: Park your car in a designated spot outside our front door.
        STEP 3: Have your medication delivered to your car.
        STEP 4: Pay from your vehicle on a sanitized credit card machine.

    • Go alone, and — again, if possible — without children, who love touching things. It’s also worth doing some planning before you go, both so you can move quickly once you’re in the store and so you don’t forget anything.

    • Wipe down the handle of your shopping cart with disinfectant wipes

    • Afterwards- wash your facemask and reusable shopping bags if you have them